Big changes planned for April will see more bobbies on the beat as part of a county-wide shake-up.

A new-look Nantwich neighbourhood policing unit (NPU) will be led in by Inspector Chris Brierley.

The change will help call time on gangs of unruly teenagers, who have caused a problem in the town for some time.

Insp Brierley said: 'A lot of concern around Nantwich seems to be centred on disorder and anti-social behaviour and this is something we will certainly be addressing.'

Police are not keen to quote figures but it is thought the change will bring six more officers to Nantwich.

The news has been welcomed by Cllr Joyce Stockton, who led a successful campaign for the part-time reopening of Nantwich Police Station three years ago.

The front desk at the police station is manned on a part-time basis by former police sergeant Jim Moulton.

Now Cllr Stockton is pressing for the full-time opening of the Beam Street premises.

She said: 'A town of Nantwich's size, which is growing week by week, needs a proper police station, manned throughout the week.

'As soon as the new system is in place, I will be stressing that point.'

Insp Brierley said: 'I believe the introduction of NPUs will especially benefit places like Nantwich and the nearby villages.

'For years, there has been a feeling that Nantwich was policed from Crewe, although there were officers based in the town.

'This change will substantially increase the numbers of officers in Nantwich, with local officers tackling local issues and not being called away to deal with things elsewhere.

'In a town like Nantwich and in the villages, people want to know who their local police officers are.

'This will give them a much better chance of that.

'Nantwich is a good place to live and our aim will be to make it even better. We want people to feel safe on their streets.'

Cheshire Constabulary corporate communications officer Donna Bell added: 'For many years police across Cheshire have ploughed resources into responding by car to incidents as quickly as possible. This simply hasn't worked.

'We are trying in most circumstances to replace blue flashing lights and two-tone horns with more police officers on the street.'